Today I considered a spherical raccoon when I confronted one shortly after leaving home at 9:44am. Confronted is a strong word. Perhaps I did not confront said animal. Encountered? Observed as he ran across the sidewalk only three feet from where I stood? Had I left home at 9:43:30, I may have stepped right on him.
I considered this raccoon for the following reasons:
1. Size. Though the raccoon was only approximately spherical, he was unequivocally large.
2. Diurnal behavior. I am aware that urban raccoons are not strictly nocturnal. They should be. It is creepy to see a large, approximately spherical raccoon running across the sidewalk of a high-traffic street in broad daylight.
And so, dear world of internet users, consider yourself warned against the large creepy mammals of Berkeley. Our only hope is that Lucy the neighbor dog (who may be a large creepy mammal herself) will eat or otherwise eliminate this disturbing intruder.
-E
